How to Become a Photographer-What are my Options

Did you know that there is a simple way of becoming a photographer? If you want to know how to become a photographer then this is the post for you.

There are several ways to become a professional photographer. Some of these ways will appeal to you, but most will not.

1 Go to school to get a degree in photography. This one is the most expensive way to become a photographer. If you have the means to do it then you should. You would learn so much from the professors and get to try things that would be harder if you didn’t go to school to do it. Such as using the dark room. Setting up your own dark room at home is expensive and would not be worth it if you haven’t previously used one. Many of the modern photography schools also include classes in photo editing. You might get to use soft wear that you wouldn’t normally use because of cost. If this option isn’t for you than don’t worry, you can still be a professional photographer with out a degree in it.

2 Take photography classes. Classes are a less expensive alternative to getting a degree in photography. You will learn from an expert and depending on the types of classes you take could also get dark room and photo editing experience. If you can take a class or two than it would really help. Again as with getting a degree, taking classes are not a prerequisite to becoming a photographer.

3 Get an apprenticeship with a local photographer. Find out who your local photographers are and ask them if you can help out for free for some experience. It’s recommended that you apprentice for 2 to 3 years before starting out on your own. This is a very affordable alternative to a getting formal education, but unless you are still living with your parents or have another means of income and most of your days free you might want to keep reading.

4 Self educating how to become a photographer. If you are anything like me, the first three options are to expensive or take to long without a paycheck. All of these options can give you the flexibility to start your own photography business, freelance, or work for a large firm. So, if you don’t have the time and money you can teach yourself the photography skills that you will need to become a professional photographer. If you decide to do this “teach thy self” rout and you want to make money than I would strongly recommend looking into stock photography. It is fun and with enough practice and the accumulation of stock portfolios you can make a real living at it.